Two Step Falls Hike
Waterfall | Minnesota
1.9 mi round trip
Two Step Falls Hike at a Glance
The Two Step Falls hike via the High Falls Trail is 1.9 mi round trip.
| Elevation at the falls | ≈ 790 ft |
|---|---|
| Trail | High Falls Trail |
| Distance | 1.9 mi round trip |
Your time: about 40 min of moving time at Naismith pace (3 mph plus 1 hour per 2,000 ft climbed); about 50 min at a relaxed pace. A 160 lb hiker with a daypack burns roughly 360 kcal. No elevation gain is published for this route, so climbing time isn’t included.
Adjust for your pace and breaks →Route line not shown. The 1.9 mi distance for this hike is verified (northernwilds.com), but we don't yet have a trail track we trust, so the map shows only the destination. Carry an official map.
About Two Step Falls
Two Step Falls is a waterfall in Minnesota, on land managed by Tettegouche State Park (Minnesota DNR).
The Hike
The hike to the falls follows the High Falls Trail: 1.9 miles round trip, from High Falls Trail trailhead parking lot (past the campground, Tettegouche State Park). Distance from northernwilds.com.
Before You Go
- The spur to Two Step Falls goes down 175 stairs. (northernwilds.com)
- Rock around waterfalls is slick when wet; stay on the trail and back from the edge.
- Check Tettegouche State Park (Minnesota DNR) for current conditions, closures and parking before you go.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the hike to Two Step Falls?
The High Falls Trail to Two Step Falls is 1.9 miles round trip.
Where does the Two Step Falls hike start?
It starts from High Falls Trail trailhead parking lot (past the campground, Tettegouche State Park).
Safety Information
Current Hazards
- Slippery wet rock near the falls
- Fast, high water after rain or snowmelt
- Check weather before departure
Turn-Around Time
3:00 PM
Plan to reach the falls by this time so you are back before dark.
Essential Gear Checklist
* Critical items - do not hike without these
Emergency Contacts
Emergency / Search & Rescue
911Point Forecast
NWS Point Forecast →In most of the US, backcountry search and rescue is dispatched through 911 — tell the operator you have a hiker emergency and your GPS coordinates.
Downloads
Sources for The Two Step Falls Guide
Where the trail data, elevation and route line on this page come from.
- Verified against
- northernwilds.com
- Distance
- northernwilds.com
- Falls location
- gowaterfalling.com
- Elevation
- ≈ Copernicus GLO-90 elevation model at the falls coordinates (via Open-Meteo)
Conditions change. Check the land manager for closures, fees and weather before you go.
Nearby Hikes
Other hikes within 30 miles of Two Step Falls.